We have 3 nights to spend before our Best of Turkey tour. The hotel For the Istanbul portion is the Demiray which is in the Sirkeci area, I believe. Do you recommend trying a different area for the first night/s perhaps to get a feel for another section of the city? We don’t mind moving hotels if a different location has advantages. Thinking perhaps in the Karakoy vicinity. I would especially appreciate thoughts from those who may have split their stay.
Also any direction from folks who have arrived early and enjoyed attractions, activities and restaurants not supplied during Rick’s tour time. I have several ideas but travelers’ feedback is especially meaningful. Comments on food tours is helpful as there appear to be a number of fine choices. Thanks.
Posted by
Salem, Oregon, USA
3426 posts
My tour hotel was in Karakoy, so I chose to stay in Sultanahmet area before the tour to be closer to the main tourist sites. If you want a different vibe for your pre-tour time and don't mind moving, there are many suggestions in the Turkey section of the forum (here's a quick search https://search.ricksteves.com/?query=turkey+tour+pre-tour+hotel&button=).
A highlight of my trip was the SRM foodie tour I took the day before the tour started. If it is offered, it will be noted in your tour packet materials with instructions how to sign up and the cost. They took us to the Asia side of Istanbul which was great because the tour doesn't spend any time there. Excellent food and commentary. SRM is the company that provides tour guides for RS tours.
It is good you are arriving early, especially to recover a bit from jet lag before you hit the ground running on the tour. Istanbul is a huge, busy city and easing into it is wise. Not knowing your interests there are many ways to occupy your time pre-tour. I went to a hammam, visited one of the cisterns, went to the Blue Mosque (wasn't covered by my tour at the time), toured Hagia Sophia (when tourists could still go in the main floor), visited Rustem Pasa mosque, and strolled around the historic area just taking in the sights and sounds.
Posted by
Seattle area
64 posts
I completely agree with this comment: "A highlight of my trip was the SRM foodie tour I took the day before the tour started. If it is offered, it will be noted in your tour packet materials with instructions how to sign up and the cost. They took us to the Asia side of Istanbul which was great because the tour doesn't spend any time there. Excellent food and commentary. SRM is the company that provides tour guides for RS tours." It's a nice balance to the tour you are taking because you won't see that part of Istanbul on the tour.
The Demiray is well located for a lot of historic sites that aren't on the tour, so I chose to stay there before taking the tour. If you enjoy the combination of eating and learning about neighborhoods, customs, and history, look into any of the Culinary Backstreets tours. They are lengthy, but I think they are well worth the time commitment - and great fun.
Posted by
Hawaii
279 posts
Please see my Wings Hotel post. There is a lot of back and forth about the things you are asking about.
I’d highly recommend staying in Karakoy. It’s close to everything, has a lot of restaurants, cafes and boutiques and is a great area if you need to catch the tram or a ferry.
If you are looking for one activity to do I’d highly recommend the Culinary Backstreets tour, Taste of Two Continents. It’s by far the very best tour I have taken thus far and a great way to explore the Asian side of Istanbul, which is wonderful.
Posted by
Hawaii
279 posts
Forgot to add that my favorite place of all thus far has been the mosque of Süleyman the Magnificent. Absolutely breathtaking! It was built by the great and very prolific architect Mimar Sinan. I’d also make time to visit the Basilica Cistern. Neither are stops on the Rick Steves tour.